I couldn’t agree more with The Times review on Claire Fuller’s Bitter Orange. Rather, the London Review Bookshop; “A compulsive page-turner. Fuller creates an atmosphere of simmering menace with all the assurance of a latter-day Daphne du Maurier”- The Times (London Review Bookshop, 2019).
I was in a local bookstore, here in the UK and was talking to the clerk about my favourite books. One of which was Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. That’s when I was introduced to local author Claire Fuller. At this point, I had already read Fuller’s Unsettled Ground as the gossip locally was that the novel was inspired by a local abandoned house. Whilst I enjoyed the book, Bitter Orange is my favourite so far (I’ve only read two in total).
It took me a while to realise the book was set in the late 1960s; the plot jumps back and forth between the past and the present. Truly, it reminded me of my First Year in university, where I had lectures from a hysterical woman, which is certainly represented through the character of Cara. As a reader, you immediately feel as though she’s refusing long-term help or she’s in complete denial. I certainly felt that she wasn’t supported at all from her live-in boyfriend, Peter. Cara obviously wants more from the relationship than he does.
The relationship was frowned upon by their friends and family, as witnessed by a hired architect, Frances Jellico (Fanny). Peter and Care openly defied the norms of the 1960s by living together, supposedly sharing the same bed, despite not being legally married to each other. Having gone through a broken engagement to a farm hand in her home town in Ireland, plus a miscarriage, perhaps it isn’t surprising that Cara is experiencing mental illness.
Aside from the Peter and Cara relationship, Fanny also goes against the societal norms of the 1960s by being a single, unmarried, middle-aged woman with a job. Things become strange as Peter begins to secretly wine and dine Fanny, although, according to the community, he is married to Cara. Keep in mind that the past chapters are set in the late 60s. It would be considered a sin and is certainly viewed as wrong by society now (although not a sin by some).
Fuller depicts mental illness and Fanny and Peter’s activities as sinful through the character of Revarend Victor. Although, as the reader, Victor seems to have two sides to himself: the disciple of God and Christian Faith, as the Reverend, and outside of the church, he’s described (I believe through the thoughts of Fanny) as a young 60s surfer. I’m not sure if it’s just Peter who refers to Frances as Fanny. The vicar, Victor, certainly doesn’t have a nickname for her. When the reader is first introduced to Victor, I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but I found his overall 1960s vibe incredibly creepy. The chapters in the present Victor are pretty much investigating Frances’ relationship with Peter and Cara.
Major Spoiler
At the very end of this “slow-burn tension[…]gradual revelation” (AI Overview Google, 2025) of a story, Victor makes a confession, seemingly of his own, to the reader. He doesn’t outright admit it, but begs the question: Was Victor in love with Frances, or was it Fanny? Fuller keeps you thinking from beginning to end. Especially, as Frances was convicted and served her time in prison for murder. She will never discover Victor’s feelings towards her as he only confesses to the reader whilst Frances’ coffin is buried six feet underground.
“There are some truly chilling scenes in this novel” (Logan, A. 2019).
Trigger Warnings
- Murder
- Mental Health
- Attempted Suicide: According to the Storygraph app.
- Societal Shame
- Pregnancy loss
- Broken Engagement (marriage or relationship)
- Blood
- Vomit
Referances
AI Overview, Google (2025). Bitter Orange Claire Fuller The Times Review. Google Search. AI Generated Overview. Avalible at: www.google.co.uk/search?q=bitter+orange+claire+fuller+the+times+review&sca_esv=4c05d75c687aa3c9&sxsrf=AE3TifOrhmh8BKDpAnJVLNyFoSQWJZN6Lg%3A1753277615022&ei=r-SAaKaTAbaDhbIP_tHDsAs&oq=&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiACoCCAIyBxAuGCcY6gIyDRAuGMcBGCcY6gIYrwEyBxAjGCcY6gIyBxAjGCcY6gIyDRAuGNEDGMcBGCcY6gIyDRAjGPAFGCcYyQIY6gIyBxAjGCcY6gIyDRAjGPAFGCcYyQIY6gIyChAjGPAFGCcY6gIyBxAjGCcY6gIyFBAAGIAEGJECGLQCGIoFGOoC2AEBMhQQABiABBiRAhi0AhiKBRjqAtgBATIUEAAYgAQYkQIYtAIYigUY6gLYAQEyFBAAGIAEGOMEGLQCGOkEGOoC2AEBMhQQABiABBjjBBi0AhjpBBjqAtgBATIXEC4YgAQYkQIYtAIYyAMYigUY6gLYAQEyFxAuGIAEGJECGLQCGMgDGIoFGOoC2AEBSLAUUABYAHABeAGQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQD4AQGYAgGgAkeoAhGYA0fxBeqNKQXWL3_2ugYGCAEQARgBkgcBMaAHALIHALgHAMIHAzUtMcgHQQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp [Accessed 23rd July 2025].
Logan, A. (2019). I’VE READ THIS. BOOK REVIEWS for BOOKWORMS. BOOK REVIEWS. LITERARY FICTION. THRILLER. Book Review: Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller. Available at: ivereadthis.com/2019/06/06/book-review-bitter-orange-by-claire-fuller/ [Accessed 23rd July 2025].
London Review BOOKSHOP (2019). Bitter Orange. Claire Fuller. FROM THE PUBLISHER. Penguin Books Ltd. Available at: londonreviewbooks.co.uk/stock/bitter-orange-claire-fuller [Accessed 23rd July 2025].